Get to Know Your Monarchs: Melvin Vaughn Q&A

NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion University football completed their 10th day of practice Thursday morning at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex Practice Field.

ODUSports.com is taking a closer look at this year’s team. Today we take a look at true freshman, Melvin Vaughn.

When did you start playing football and what got you involved? I started playing recreationally in the eighth grade. I always played in the neighborhood when I was younger. I started playing football because I lived in a rough neighborhood and my parents wanted to keep me out of trouble, and then I fell in love with the game.

Who is your role model? Coach Richard Morgan, my high school football coach. He kept me involved in football.

Who is your favorite athlete? Brent Grimes, he played for the Falcons, now he plays for the Miami Dolphins. He is a very good cornerback.

Favorite football memory? Winning the state championship my junior year of high school.

What is the biggest difference between high school and ODU? Game speed.

Why ODU? Great school and great people, in my mind, why not Old Dominion?

How exciting is the transition to FBS and Conference USA? The whole team is ready, we’re all excited about it. Coach Wilder is excited about it, he gets everyone pumped up and ready to go.

What do you enjoy the most about playing wide receiver? That’s where all of the action is, a lot of running, a lot of moving. You get to do it all, you get to block, catch, run; you do everything, except for throwing the ball.

Coming into summer camp, what did you expect? It’s everything that I expected, it’s faster; it’s harder, even the linemen are fast, it’s crazy. I had to pick it up fast. The first few days were slow, but I had no choice but to pick it up fast if I want to have the opportunity to play.

Favorite sport other than football? Nothing. Just football.

Favorite movie? Set It Off

Favorite food? Fried chicken with hot sauce.

Favorite restaurant? Alice May’s Soul Food Restaurant

Favorite part about living in the Hampton Roads area? The 757 has a lot of good football, and I love the atmosphere.

Off the field, what do you enjoy doing? I just enjoy hanging out with my friends.

What do you look forward to the most about playing in a sold-out atmosphere? Doing every little thing I can to help the team win, no matter what it is one catch or one block, anything to help the team win.